Barcode Robotic Guidance

Increase accuracy and efficiency of robotic pick AGVs

Distribution and fulfillment centers strive to create the most efficient conveyance to optimize the pick and pack process. The most common way to do this is with zone routing conveyor systems. However, in very large environments, this may not be the most efficient way to route products for picking and packing. An emerging technology that has seen adoption in fulfillment facilities is using robotic Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to bring pick items to operators. These AGVs navigate around the warehouse by reading 2D codes that are laid out in a grid on the warehouse floor with the help of barcode readers mounted on the bottom of the AGVs. Codes on the floor can be worn down and smudged through traffic which can present problems for the automated guided vehicles.

In addition, the process of decoding a barcode and moving through the warehouse must be fast and accurate to keep the AGVs moving smoothly without crashing into each other as well as keep the pick process efficient. Spending time dealing with no reads or mis-reads by the automated guided vehicles not only reduces efficiency, it costs time and money. With hundreds or thousands of codes on the floor, it can be hard to track which ones are wearing down and could cause issues.